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06.09.2008 | Tennis

Roger will play the final of the US Open for the fifth consecutive time! He defeated Serbian Novak Djokovic 6-3 5-7 7-5 6-2.

In a match that was a repeat of last year's final, our champ hammered 20 aces in his best performance of the tournament to set up a final against either world number one Rafael Nadal or British sixth seed Andy Murray. "I am so excited to be back in the final again," Roger said in a courtside interview. "I've worked hard all season to do well in the big ones. (To win) here at the Open would mean a hell of a lot to me."

Chasing his first grand slam title of the year but 13th overall, Roger played an almost perfect opening set. Third seed Djokovic, who beat Roger on his way to his first grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, looked flat early on but lifted his game to move ahead 4-1 in the second set. Roger hit back to be on even terms at 4-4 but Djokovic broke in the 12th game to level the match. In the end, Roger won a tight service game to lead 4-2, he broke again in the next game before clinching victory with a forehand winner.

Should Roger play Nadal, it would be their third straight meeting in a grand slam final, with the Spaniard having won both at the French Open and Wimbledon.

"Who do I prefer to play? I prefer the trophy, that's what I prefer," said Roger, who was deposed as world number one last month. "But I guess I would have to say Rafa because we've had such great battles over the year. Wimbledon was unbelievable so I hope we can have another one."